But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; -- Matthew 5:44 (KJV)
Jesus said this years before Saul met Him on the road. He said it knowing the road was coming. Long before the church had an enemy named Saul, Jesus had already told His people what to do with one: love him, bless him, do good to him, pray for him.
Look at the verbs. Love. Bless. Do good. Pray. Jesus does not ask the church to pretend pain did not happen or manufacture warmth toward people who hurt them. He gives His people something to do, and He begins with the one act available on the hardest day: pray.
Prayer Goes First Because It Is Possible
You can pray for someone while your stomach is tight about them. You do not have to like a person to ask God to do for them what only God can do. Prayer lets you bring the name to Jesus before your feelings know what to do with it.
That may be the first honest step. Say the name. Ask God for mercy. Ask Him to save, heal, correct, restore, or reach in whatever way He knows is right.
Name Your One
Picture the person who, if God did with them what He did with Saul, would be the most unlikely testimony in your life. The one you would never expect. The one you have quietly written off.
You have someone in mind. Do not close this and leave them unnamed. Pray one sentence for that person today, out loud if you can. The name you are bringing to God may be less settled than you think.
